Welcome to the 18th edition of North Star Blueprints! In this weekly newsletter, we embark on a journey of personal and professional growth, offering observations, strategies, and inspiration to help you navigate life’s challenges and reach new heights of success. This edition will provide a summary of the daily insights I posted throughout the week, packed with valuable tips, thought-provoking ideas, and actionable advice on how to develop better style, dress better, and the importance of experimentation, in the hopes of helping you to unleash your better self.
June 17: You Are What You Wear
I’ve always put a lot of emphasis on dressing well, it might seem superficial at first but holds a very important truth at its core – the impression you make depends not only on internal factors but also external, one of them being your outward presentation. I want to dedicate this week’s insights into exploring the way we dress and how we can improve our style.
Dressing well holds significant importance in both the workplace and daily life, with numerous benefits that extend beyond mere aesthetics. The way we dress communicates information about our personality, professionalism, and attention to detail, especially to those who know little about us. A well-put-together appearance can convey confidence, competence, and respect for ourselves and others. In professional settings, where judgments are often swift and critical, dressing appropriately can enhance credibility and influence perceptions positively. This doesn’t necessarily mean you have to embrace the suit and tie look, it just means that you should pay extra attention to what you’re wearing…
Dressing well goes beyond how others see us, it also impacts how we see and feel ourselves. It can boost self-esteem and reinforce a positive self-image, have you ever heard of the term “Enclothed Cognition”? When you look good, you feel good, which can translate into improved performance and productivity. Moreover, a polished appearance often correlates with perceived capability, even if that individual is not as competent, they definitely look the part. So why not capitalize on that effect? In my opinion, investing in your appearance is not just about vanity, it’s a strategic approach to personal and professional development.
June 18: Simplicity in Style
“Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” – Leonardo Da Vinci
Having covered the importance of dressing well yesterday, where and how do you actually start? Da Vinci’s words above is all you need to know – start from the basics. Contrary to popular belief, looking good doesn’t require hours of deliberation, finding the perfect outfit, or a high budget. It’s about keeping things simple and making choices that enhance your appearance effortlessly:
Fit is King – The foundation of any great outfit is fit. No matter how expensive or stylish a piece may be, if it doesn’t fit well, it won’t look good. Tailoring your clothes to your body type ensures that you not only look polished but also feel comfortable and confident.
Less is More – When it comes to colors and patterns, less is often more effective. Stick to a few complementary colors that work well together. This approach not only simplifies your wardrobe choices but also allows for easy mix-and-match options that always look put together.
Quality over Quantity – Investing in a few key pieces of good quality is far more effective than buying lots of cheaper, trendy items. Quality pieces tend to fit better, last longer, and can elevate even the simplest of outfits.
Ultimately, the best dressed people are those who wear their clothes with confidence. When you feel good in what you wear, it shows. Remember, the goal of dressing well is not just to impress others but to feel great about yourself. A well-chosen outfit that reflects your personality and fits impeccably will leave a lasting impression, whether in a professional setting or among friends.
June 19: Don’t Copy. Get Inspired.
Inspiration can be found everywhere around us. Whether it’s from a well-known trendsetter or someone in your everyday circle, seeing others’ creativity can spark something truly special within us.
Originally this insight was inspired by looking for new outfit ideas and improving my style, but in reality, this lesson applies in everything we do in life. Inspiration isn’t about copying – it’s about reinterpretation. It’s about taking elements that resonate with you and infusing them with your unique essence. By mixing these influences with our own ideas, we go beyond copying and make something original ourselves.
My initial style was inspired by my favourite movies, my ambitions were fueled by people I aspired to be, my work by those I admired. Even my daily insights are sparked by day to day interactions with the people and world around me:
Observe and Appreciate – Notice what stands out to you in the world around you — whether it’s a unique style, clever solution, or emotional impact. Pay attention to details that resonate with you.
Reinterpretation, not Replication – Instead of copying directly, think about how you can adapt and apply what inspires you to your own context. This could mean using a similar technique in a different way or infusing your personality into the idea.
Stay Authentic – Always maintain your own voice and perspective while drawing inspiration. Let your unique experiences and beliefs shape how you integrate external influences into your creative process.
Remember, each moment offers a chance to take what exists and create something completely new!
June 20: Consistency Is All You Need
Earlier this year I decided to start writing about new things I learn or find interesting day to day. It’s been 100 days since then, and 100 posts later this has fully become a habit. Not sharing these insights daily just doesn’t feel right anymore. Thank you all for coming along with me on this journey!
The other day I read a post by James Clear saying that “In theory, consistency is being disciplined, determined, and unwavering. In practice, consistency is about being adaptable. Don’t have much time? Scale it down. Don’t have much energy? Do the easy version. Find different ways to show up depending on the circumstances. Let your habits change shape to meet the demands of the day.”
I found this to be true with my posts, workouts, hobbies, and everything else I do. Sometimes as little as showing up is all you need, you can’t expect to outperform yourself every day, right?
To keep this on theme with this week’s topic – choosing the right outfit can be challenging, with so many options in your wardrobe. However, if you minimize the number of items you have, slim down to a few high-quality, well-fitting pieces, when everything you put on you looks great, then choosing is not so complicated anymore. All you have to do is show up. Make it a rule to consistently dress well, achieve it by removing anything in your closet that doesn’t fit your style. That way, no matter how early it is, how quickly you need to dress up, how tired you are, or how lazy you feel – anything you pick will look good.
June 21: Don’t Be Afraid of Colours
Everyone loves dark or muted colours, you can’t go wrong with them. They look good, a safe choice, and don’t stand out. They’re forgiving colours because they don’t draw much attention. Using colours on the other hand requires some thinking – not all combinations look good, but when you do find the right one you will instantly stand above the rest. But how can you find the right colours? Ever heard of the colour wheel?
The color wheel is a simple but powerful tool that helps us understand how colors work together. By showing the relationships between primary, secondary, and tertiary colors, the color wheel guides us in choosing color combinations that look good and make sense. It helps identify which colors complement each other, which ones clash, and which ones create a balanced and pleasing effect.
Using the color wheel in design ensures that your color choices are well-thought-out and effective. For example, in fashion, using colors that are opposite on the wheel can make a bold statement, while colors next to each other create a more subtle, cohesive look. In product design, the right colors can attract customers and convey the right message about the brand. In PowerPoint slides, choosing the right colors can make your slides easier to read and keep your audience’s attention.
Go out there and experiment, don’t be afraid to add some colour to your life!
Thank you for joining me on this journey of growth and discovery. I hope these insights illuminate your path forward as you pursue your aspirations with purpose and determination. See you in next week’s edition!
